UNITED
NATIONS
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
Statements
and Messages from the President
"UN
Chronicle" Interview
June-August 2001
On the impact of the recent global meetings on the agenda of the next General Assembly
The international community has addressed the most pressing issues of our time in a recent series of global meetings. These meetings were initiated by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and the United Nations plays a crucial role not only in highlighting the issues of global importance, but in following up on the results of the meetings. Such gatherings are also invaluable in that they are often the biggest gatherings focusing on a single issue, bringing together experts from all sectors, including civil society. Thus, I have no doubt that the outcome of these meetings will serve as a valuable foundation for the deliberation of the forthcoming General Assembly and beyond.
On the special session on children, to be held from 19 to 21 September 2001
As President of the 56th General Assembly, I have high hopes for the Special Session on Children. As a follow-up to the 1990 World Summit for Children, the Special Session will be a timely opportunity to assess objectively our achievements and shortcomings in the past decade in bettering the lives of children worldwide. Through the Special Session, in which civil society and children, as well as governments and related international organizations, will take part, we hope to ensure full and regular monitoring of progress made in key areas of child health, safety and education. But more significantly, it will be a time to come up with a forward-looking and action-oriented blueprint for the next decade, which will be embodied as a plan of action in the outcome document. Hopefully, this Special Session will bring forth renewed enthusiasm and commitment on the part of every country to take all necessary measures to give effect to the outcome document.
On the International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in Mexico in 2002
The International
Conference on Financing for Development will be a milestone event in many
respects. It will be the first ever gathering at the highest level within
the UN to address issues related to financing for development in a holistic
and comprehensive manner. The Conference will serve as a valuable occasion
to enhance global awareness of the importance of development financing
in addressing the questions of poverty and underdevelopment. I also hope
that the results of the Monterrey Conference will be instrumental in carrying
out the commitments made at the Millennium Summit.
On the significance of the General Assembly resolution on peace, security and reunification on the Korean Peninsula
The adoption of the General Assembly resolution last year bears much significance for us, confirming that the spirit of the inter-Korean Summit and the Joint Declaration of June 15 has materialized on the international level. Notably, it was the first achievement realized through the joint work of and consultation between South and North Korea in the UN. The resolution proclaimed to the world that the two Koreas would continue to cooperate in shifting their relations from one of enmity and confrontation to reconciliation and cooperation. It was also a remarkable event that confirmed one of the important principles of the UN ? the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The adoption of the GA resolution was an important step toward establishing a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, the implications of which go beyond the Korean Peninsula, as well as an encouragement to efforts for peaceful settlement of regional disputes worldwide.
Taking note of these
implications, the international community rendered its strong support
for the resolution. One hundred and fifty-seven (157) countries
participated as co-sponsors, which is clear testimony of the world community's
support for peace and unification of Korea. I am sure that the peace
process that has been unfolding on the Korean Peninsula since the historic
Inter-Korean Summit will continue, thanks to the tremendous encouragement
of all member states.
On improving United Nations missions
With the end of the Cold War, the nature of international conflicts has been changing dramatically. Inter-state wars have become less common, while the number of intra-state conflicts is rising. The surge of intra-state conflicts has increased the demand for UN peacekeeping activities and expanded the scope of their mandates.
Against this backdrop,
the strengthening of PKO capabilities is one of the most imminent tasks
of the UN, as was confirmed at the Millennium Summit last year. While
the firm commitments of Member States remain essential for the success
of peacekeeping operations, UN capability for such activities also needs
to be strengthened. More specifically, the discussion of the Special Committee
on peacekeeping operations have focused on ways to enhance the effectiveness
of these operations, such as setting clear, achievable mandates, and strengthening
the Department of Peacekeeping Operations with enhanced rapid deployment
capabilities. In this regard, I appreciate the initiatives of Secretary-General
Kofi Annan to strengthen UN peacekeeping operations, as well as the work
of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, which produced a very
comprehensive report. I hope that the ongoing deliberations on the report
will soon produce tangible results.